Ebbsfleet manager Josh Wright believes securing George Moncur on a long-term deal is one of the best signings the club have made in recent years.

The 31-year-old midfielder, who played a pivotal role in Leyton Orient winning League 2 just two years ago, turned his loan move at Stonebridge Road into a permanent deal after penning a two-year contract with the Fleet.

It’s another standout signing for Wright, who has already secured the services of Josh Passley for next season.

“It’s really positive to have a player of George’s calibre and quality, character and experience,” said Wright.

“I’ll go on record as saying it’s one of the best signings this football club has made, certainly in recent years, because he is an unbelievable, all-round player.

“To sign him, whether it had been at this level or the level below, is a really big positive.

“He won’t be the last one, that’s for sure. There’ll be many more signings, but signings that are going to really improve this football club.

“We’ve made a couple now for next season already.

“I think people can see the direction and the type that I want to go for and what we’re trying to get and we’ll be doing a lot more of that.

“That shows you where this football club wants to go and how this football club is run because I don’t think there’s anyone out there that would have said Ebbsfleet would have George Moncur next season.

“Everyone deserves credit for it and long may that continue in terms of his form as George will only get better. I’m delighted and really excited to have him on board.”

Moncur will be featuring in National League South next season. He’s already shown he’s good enough for the level above despite featuring in a struggling Ebbsfleet side so it’s quite a coup for Wright to entice him to the club permanently.

“Sometimes in life, you need to know and I know George,” added the Fleet boss. “Would we have him here if I didn’t know him in terms of playing against him and have a good relationship with him? Maybe, maybe not.

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“At the end of the day, other managers and people could say that, but you have to capitalise on that.

“He’s agreed to stay for the next couple of years and obviously at a level where he probably doesn’t want to, but none of us do.

“But he knows the ambition of the football club. He knows what Damian’s (Irvine, chief executive) about. He knows what the owner’s about and he knows how this football club is run and how we’re going to go about things next season.

“He can see the plan and he knows who’s in charge. He knows this season’s a blip, but he’s loved this football and he’s enjoyed himself. We’ve got the best out of him.”

Moncur was among the goals as the Fleet drew 3-3 at Aldershot in the National League last Saturday.

It wasn’t enough for them to avoid having their relegation finally confirmed mathematically but Wright was pleased to see his front three of Moncur, Franklin Domi and Aaron Cosgrave all on target.

“I’m playing the sort of two 10s behind Aaron Cosgrave but they’re a real threat,” said Wright.

“Frank and George have to do a little bit more of the other side of the game with the second balls in the midfield areas, but they’ve all got to do their defensive side.

“All three of them got their goals because of their hard work, their endeavour, as I keep saying, and clinical finishing.

“They deserve it because they do work their socks off from the front and it’s always good to score goals, but if it’s your forwards scoring goals as well, that’ always a positive.”

Ebbsfleet host play-off chasing Altrincham at Stonebridge Road this Saturday before facing Welling United in the Kent Senior Cup Final at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium on Wednesday.